warning CHEVROLET SSR 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

Fuel Information
r
(Fuel Information):Press this button to scroll
through the range, average fuel economy, instant fuel
economy and engine oil life.
Fuel Range
Press the fuel information button until RANGE appears
to display the remaining distance you can drive
without refueling. It’s based on fuel economy and the
fuel remaining in the tank. The display will show
FUEL LEVEL LOW if the fuel level is low and a chime
will sound. The check gages warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will also be illuminated.
SeeCheck Gages Warning Light on page 3-36for more
information.
The fuel economy data used to determine fuel range
is an average of recent driving conditions. As your
driving conditions change, this data is gradually updated.
Fuel range cannot be reset.
Average Fuel Economy
Press the fuel information button until AVG. ECON
appears in the display. Average fuel economy is how
many miles per gallon your vehicle is getting based on
current and past driving conditions.
Press and hold the select button while AVG. ECON is
displayed to reset the average fuel economy. Average
fuel economy will then be calculated starting from
that point. If the average fuel economy is not reset,
it will be continually updated each time you drive.
Instant Fuel Economy
Press the fuel information button until INST. ECON
appears in the display. Instant fuel economy is
how many miles per gallon your vehicle is at the
particular moment in time. The instant fuel economy
cannot be reset.
3-43

Engine Oil Life
Press the fuel information button until ENGINE OIL LIFE
appears in the display. The GM Oil Life System™
shows an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life.
It will show 100% when the system is reset after
an oil change. It will alert you to change your oil on a
schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
Always reset the engine oil life after an oil change.
To reset the engine oil life system, press and hold the
select button while ENGINE OIL LIFE is displayed.
The engine oil life reading in the DIC does not replace
the need to maintain your vehicle as recommended
in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeEngine
Oil on page 5-14,Change Engine Oil Light on
page 3-35, andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-5.
Personalization
q
(Personalization):Press this button to access
the vehicle personalization menu and customize
the personalization settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-52for more
information.
Select
r
(Select):Press this button to reset certain DIC
functions, acknowledge DIC warning messages
and clear them from the DIC, and set your
personalization settings.
3-44

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another. Some messages may not require immediate
action but you should press the select button to
acknowledge that you received the message and clear it
from the display. Some messages cannot be cleared
from the display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be removed
from the DIC display. The following are the possible
messages that can be displayed and some information
about them.
Battery Not Charging
If the battery is not charging during operation, this
message will appear on the DIC. The charging system
light may also be displayed on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-27
for more information. Driving your vehicle when the
battery is not charging properly can drain the battery.
Have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Press the select button to acknowledge this message
and clear it from the DIC display.
Battery Voltage Too High
This message will be displayed when the battery
voltage is higher than normal and you try to raise or
lower the convertible top. The charging system light may
also be displayed on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeCharging System Light on page 3-27for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
Battery Voltage Too Low
This message will be displayed when the battery
voltage is lower than normal and you try to raise or
lower the convertible top. The charging system light may
also be displayed on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeCharging System Light on page 3-27for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
Cargo Cover Ajar
This message will be displayed when trying to open or
close the convertible top while the cargo cover is
open. Make sure the cargo cover is fully closed
before trying to open or close the convertible top.
This message will clear itself from the DIC once the
cargo cover is closed.
3-45

Engine Overheated Stop Engine
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If your engine is overheated, this message will be
displayed on the DIC. Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible and do not drive it until the engine cools down.
You may need to add more coolant to your vehicle
before driving again. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27andEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-30for more information. This message will clear
from the DIC display when the coolant temperature
drops to a safe operating temperature.
Flip Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed on the DIC when trying
to raise or lower the convertible top and there is a
fault with this switch. If the message persists, see your
dealer for service.
Fuel Level Low
If the fuel level is low in the vehicle’s gas tank this
message will appear on the DIC and you will hear a
chime. You will also see the check gages warning light
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeCheck Gages
Warning Light on page 3-36for more information.
Refuel as soon as possible. SeeFilling the Tank on
page 5-8andFuel Gage on page 3-37for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge
and clear the message from the display.
Hdr (Header) Latch Switch Fault
This message will be displayed on the DIC when trying
to raise or lower the convertible top and there is a
fault with this switch. If the message persists, see your
dealer for service.
Manually Open Tonneau
This message will be displayed on the DIC when
trying to raise or lower the convertible top while the
convertible top and roof tonneau are where the system
cannot verify their position. The roof system may
need to be restored manually to a stable position by
fully opening the roof tonneau and boot cover panel.
SeeConvertible Top on page 2-37for more information.
3-47

Roof Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed on the DIC when trying
to raise or lower the convertible top and there is a
fault with this switch. If the message persists, see your
dealer for service.
Service Air Bag
If there is a problem with the air bag system this
message will be displayed on the DIC. The air bag
readiness light may also be displayed on the instrument
panel cluster. See your dealer for service. Press the
select button to acknowledge this message and clear it
from the display. SeeServicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-52andAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-25for more information.
Service Brake System
If a problem occurs with the brake system this message
will appear on the DIC. The brake system warning
light and the anti-lock brake system warning light may
also be displayed on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28and
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-29
for more information. If this message appears,
stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or appears
again when you begin driving, the brake system
needs service. SeeBrakes on page 5-33for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the display.
Stop Vehicle
This message will be displayed when attempting to
release the cargo cover while the vehicle is in motion.
The vehicle must stopped and the transmission
placed in PARK (P) to release the cargo cover.
SeeCargo Cover on page 2-32for more information.
Tlat (Tonneau Latch) Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed when trying to raise
or lower the convertible top and there is a problem with
this switch. If the message persists, see your dealer
for service.
3-50

Tonn (Tonneau) Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed when trying to raise or
lower the convertible top and there is a fault with
this switch. If the message persists, see your dealer
for service.
Tonn (Tonneau) Latd (Latched)
Switch Fault
This message will be displayed when trying to raise or
lower the convertible top and there is a fault with
this switch. If the message persists, see your dealer
for service.
Traction Active
This message, along with the light on the Traction
Control System (TCS) warning light on the instrument
panel cluster, will be displayed when the TCS system is
active. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8andTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light (Automatic
Transmission) on page 3-29for more information.
Trans (Transmission) Hot Idle
If the transmission uid in the vehicle becomes too hot,
this message will appear on the DIC. Stop the vehicle
and let it idle to allow the transmission uid to cool.
This message will clear when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level. SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-21and if your vehicle is equipped with the
auxiliary gage package, see “Transmission Temperature
Gage” underAuxiliary Gage Package on page 3-38
for more information.
Turn Signal On
If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 mile (1.2 km), this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the
off position. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the display. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5for more
information.
Unknown Speed
This message will be displayed when trying to raise or
lower the convertible top and the roof controller
cannot communicate with the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). See your dealer for service.
3-51

Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeand
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That isperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That isreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving
at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping
enough space between your vehicle and others is
important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pacewith the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brake System
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-29.
4-6

When the system is on,
this warning light will come
on to let you know if
there’s a problem.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) is on and you drive
faster than 100 mph (161 km/h), the system will turn
off and the TC warning light will come on. The TCS will
turn back on and the TC warning light will go out
once the vehicle speed falls below 90 mph (145 km/h).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
(Automatic Transmission) on page 3-29.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the Traction Control
System on. But you can turn the system off if you
ever need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle” inIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-30.To turn the system on or
off press the button
located on your center
console switchbank. See
Center Console
Switchbank on page 3-16
for more information.
When you turn the system off, the Traction Control
System warning light will come on and stay on. If the
Traction Control System is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button to turn the system off, the warning
light will come on and the system will turn off right away.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The Traction Control System
warning light should go off.
4-9

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored surface — and
slow down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-14

Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing
on the road. If you can see reections from trees,
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops dimple
the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-51.
4-19